HARDHAT with LIGHT CONFIGURATION

ABSTRACT

A safety helmet with light-emitting system. The light-emitting system includes a light-emitting device and battery holder. The light-emitting system is fastened within a cavity of the helmet shell, configured for receiving the light-emitting system. The safety helmet with light-emitting system when turned on illuminates providing visibility while also alerting fellow workers and pedestrians nearby of a user&#39;s position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to safety helmets designed to protect the users head from potential impacts, such as those worn by construction workers, and miners. Specifically, the present invention relates to a hardhat that provides illumination which makes known the wearers position in low visibility conditions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a safety helmet which provide safety and awareness in poor visibility conditions, protecting the head from injury by falling objects, and bad weather, while also illuminating, providing visibility, and alerting others such as fellow workers and pedestrians of the users' location.

Therefore, an object of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide a safety helmet that consist of a light emitting system therein.

Another object of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide a safety helmet with a lighting emitting system visible among machine operators such as crane operators working above the user and at ground level.

Yet another object of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide a safety helmet having a light emitting system within the top portion of the safety helmet shell.

Other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates the safety helmet of the present invention having a light emitting system therein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of the safety helmet of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side sectional view of the safety helmet of the present invention having a light emitting system therein.

FIG. 4A illustrates a front isometric view of the battery holder of the present invention.

FIG. 4B illustrates a back isometric view of the battery holder of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a exploded isometric view of the light emitting device assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a exploded isometric view of the safety helmet assembly of the present invention, showing the light emitting device and the safety helmet.

FIG. 7A illustrates a front isometric view of the light emitting device of the present invention.

FIG. 7B illustrates a back isometric view of the light emitting device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side sectional view of the light emitting device and components therein of the present invention.

FIG. 9A illustrates a electrical schematic diagram showing details of the light emitting system of the present invention in first mode.

FIG. 9B illustrates a electrical schematic diagram showing details of the light emitting system of the present invention in second mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-9B, the safety helmet 26 of the present invention is described in detail.

FIGS. 1-3 , show a safety helmet 26 with a light emitting system consisting of a light emitting device 44 and battery holder 45 fastened within cavity 24A of the top portion of the helmet shell. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the cavity 24A is configured for receiving the light emitting system. The cavity 24A is defined therein the top portion of the helmet shell, positioned above the inner upper interior of the shell cavity 24B which receives the users head. Both cavities 24A and 24B are divided by a layer 39 of the safety helmet shell.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrates an isometric view of the battery holder 45. In the present embodiment, the battery holder 45 is rectangular. The battery holder 45 comprises a spring contact, second contact 17D, a wire 42 forming an electrical connection, a gasket 30 providing a water tight seal, and a hollow compartment 27 as illustrated in FIG. 6 for receiving a 1.5V alkaline type dry cell battery 14 of a C size. However, a rechargeable battery maybe used instead of a dry cell battery 14, and in addition, batteries having sizes other than C maybe used. The assembly of the battery holder 45 includes a contact spring which is fixed therein the end portion of the hollow compartment 27 by an adhesive, and then thereby soldered to the wiring 42 which meets the contact spring via an aperture 19 within the end portion of the hollow compartment 27.

Following the installation of a battery 14, the negative terminal thereof meets the contact spring, allowing for a flow of current from the wiring 42 to the negative terminal of the battery 14. Further, following the installation of the light emitting device 44 the contact spring also urges the battery 14 forward, thereby allowing for a flow of current from the positive terminal of the battery 14 to the upper electrical contact 17A of the light emitting device 44, which is explained in greater detail below. The second contact 17D is fastened within a cavity of the lower front portion of the battery holder 45 by screw or the like. The second contact 17D is then thereby soldered to the wiring 42 completing an electrical connection with the contact spring thereof. The second contact 17D is also configured to provide a resilient force ensuring a constant electrical connection with the lower electrical contact 17B of the light emitting device 44. Concluding the arrangement and assembly of the battery holder 45, the battery holder 45 is fixed within the cavity 24A of the helmet shell by an adhesive, which also provides protection against the elements such as rain or dust.

FIG. 5 , illustrates an exploded isometric view of the light emitting device 44 assembly of the present invention. Included is a base 29 which has a upper and lower electrical contact 17A,17B, two cavities 24 configured for receiving the upper and lower electrical contacts 17A,17B, contact modules 13, electrical wiring 42, resistors 49 as illustrated in FIGS. 9A,9B and an aperture 19 upon the front portion of the base 29 provided for receiving the fastening screw 18. The electrical contacts 17A,17B are position therein cavities 24 of the back end portion of the base 29 arranged to align and interact with electrical contacts 17D, and the positive terminal of the battery 14. The electrical contacts 17A,17B are fastened within the cavities 24 by applying an adhesive such as glue. The electrical contacts 17A,17B may be relatively small and square shaped. The electrical contacts 17A,17B are soldered to the electrical wiring 42 via an aperture 19 within the inner back end portion of the cavities 24. The wiring 42 thereof rest upon the surface of the base 29 and is thereby soldered at the opposite end to the terminals of the contact modules 13, thereby forming an electrical connection. The contact module 13 configuration is of the nature to interact with contact pins 10 in a manner to open and close a circuit when choosing a mode of operation thereby activating the LEDs 25A,25B. The contact modules 13 are fastened upon the surface of the base 29 by either an screw or adhesive. The contact modules 13 configuration include positive and negative contacts 17C which are spring loaded thereby allowing for some depression into the contact modules 13 when engaging the contact pins 10. There is also openings configured within the base 29 for receiving the lower bottom portion of the contact modules 13.

Also include is a second housing 36, a light source consisting of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 25A,25B, tension mechanism 15, four contact pins 10 for making electrical contact with the contact modules 13, six apertures 19 for receiving LED 25A,25B terminals, an aperture 19 for receiving the tension mechanism 15, and a hollow portion. The contact pins 10 thereof are inserted therein four apertures 19, extending downward within the hollow portion of the second housing 36. The pins 10 maybe fastened in place by either an adhesive or screwed, provided external threads are present thereon. Following the installment of the contact pins 10, the positive and negative terminals of the LEDs 25A,25B are then thereby inserted within apertures 19, and then thereby soldered to the contact pins 10. The pins 10 provide an electrical path between the LEDs 25A,25B terminals and the fixed contacts 17C of the contact modules 13 when in the selected modes first or second, thereby forming a closed circuit. The LEDs 25A,25B, are activated when in the first mode, upon selecting the second mode LEDs 25A are activated. The top portion of the tension mechanism 15 is inserted within an aperture 19 of the second housing 36 extending downward through the hollow portion thereof, further through an aperture 19B to meet with the bottom portion thereof, thereby coupling the first and second housing 35,36. The aperture 19B and tension mechanism 15 configurations allows for movement of the second housing 36 upon the first housing 35 in a horizontal direction when choosing a mode of operation. The tension mechanism 15 further provides a resilience in which works to secure the device 44 in a chosen mode of operation even when the helmet 26 is jarred or dropped. Furthermore, the tension mechanism 15 may also include a component for which preventing any additional movement that may thereby be inapplicable during installation of the light emitting device 44 to the helmet 26.

The light emitting device 44 assembly further include the fastening of the bulb cover 23 to the second housing 36 by applying an adhesive, providing a permanent bond and water tight seal. The bulb cover 23 configurations provides covering while also providing a contact point by which the user chooses a mode of operation, by urging the bulb cover 23 forward to the first or second mode, and by urging the bulb cover 23 in the opposite direction when choosing the off mode. The bulb cover 23 configurations may include a reflective interior coating and an exterior and interior shape configured to direct light from the helmet 26. The bulb cover 23 maybe formed of a transparent or translucent material enabling light to pass.

Concluding the assembly of the lighting device 44. The base 29 is now thereby fastened to the first housing 35 by applying an adhesive, completing the light emitting device 44 assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8 , the light emitting device 44 is configured to attach and detach to the helmet 26. The device 44 is attached to the helmet 26 by inserting a screw 18 through apertures 19, and then thereby inserting the screw 18 within the fastening hole 21. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the fastening hole 21 is configured within the shell of the helmet 26.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the hardhat 26 of the present invention has two modes of operation, which include a first and second mode. The first mode activates LEDs 25A which emit light continually forward. The LED 25B is also activated which emits light in a blinking motion. The first mode provides the wearer with lighting while also alerting others of the wearers position. Also, the second mode activate LEDs 25A and deactivates LED 25B.

The preferred embodiments of the safety helmet with light emitting system construction and arrangement of its respective components have been presented in the foregoing disclosure. Numerous modifications, alterations, alternate materials, maybe contemplated by those skilled in the art and maybe utilized in accomplishing the various aspects of the present invention. It should also be understood that the drawings and detailed description of the present invention are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner, and are not intended to be limiting to the forms and examples disclosed. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A safety helmet with light-emitting system comprising: a light emitting system comprising of a battery holder and a light-emitting device; a cavity within an upper top portion of the safety helmet shell for receiving the light emitting system.
 2. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 1 wherein the battery holder is fastened therein the cavity by application of an adhesive.
 3. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 1 wherein the battery holder electrical circuit components comprise of a plurality of electrical contacts including two therein the front-end portion of the battery holder which are a positive terminal of the battery when inserted and the other being a second lower contact.
 4. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 1 wherein the battery holder is configured to provide power to the light-emitting device.
 5. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 1 wherein the light-emitting device components comprises: a light source formed by at least one Light Emitting Diode (LED), a base configured for receiving a first housing coupled there upon, a plurality of electrical contacts some of which forming electrical connections via wiring, a second housing coupled to the first housing by a tension mechanism, a aperture configured within the first housing for receiving the tension mechanism thereby allowing for movement of the second housing upon the first housing in a horizontal direction when choosing a mode of operation, a bulb cover fastened upon the second housing protecting the light emitting diode.
 6. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 5 wherein the light-emitting device is configured to emit light in a blinking motion when activated.
 7. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 5 wherein an upper and lower electrical contact of the base are configured to align with the electrical contacts therein the front end of the battery holder.
 8. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 5 wherein the bulb cover is configured as a contact point for engaging the light-emitting device when choosing a mode of operation.
 9. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 8 wherein the bulb cover is urged forward in a horizontal direction by push of a finger when choosing a mode of operation and vice versa in a horizontal direction when choosing the off mode.
 10. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 5 wherein the light source is formed by at least one light emitting diode(LED) which is position to project light from the LED out of the bulb cover.
 11. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 10 wherein the bulb cover is formed of a material configured to allow light to pass.
 12. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 1 wherein the cavity comprises of a fastening hole within the safety helmet shell for receiving a screw, which allows for attaching and detaching of the light emitting device to the shell of the safety helmet.
 13. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 5 wherein the bulb cover top surface align with the top surface of the safety helmet shell.
 14. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 5 wherein the light-emitting device comprises of a plurality of parts such as electronic circuits configured to control flashing, continuous illumination, and the Ike.
 15. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 1 wherein the safety helmet with light-emitting system provides the wearer lighting in dark and poor visibility conditions.
 16. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 1 wherein the battery holder houses at least one battery.
 17. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 5 wherein the light-emitting device is configured to emit a continuous beam of light when activated.
 18. The safety helmet with light-emitting system of claim 1 wherein the light-emitting system comprise of at least one gasket providing a water tight seal. 